Former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has been confirmed as the new Sunderland manager today.
McCarthy was officially confirmed at a press conference at the Stadium of Light, replacing Howard Wilkinson and Steve Cotterill, who were sacked by the club on Monday.
McCarthy finally gets the job which he was expected to get back in October, when Sunderland chairman Bob Murray instead made the surprise decision to appoint Wilkinson and Cotterill to succeed Peter Reid.
At that time, the 44-year-old was in the process of winding up his tenure as Ireland coach and Sunderland seemed the ideal escape route.
McCarthy will look to make the most of the Irish connection at the club.
"I am looking forward to working with everyone at the club.I know a few of the players. I looked at the place and everything about it is about passion. This is a proper football club.
"I am not saying I am going to keep them up but I am going to try. I would like to think I would get a good response from the Ireland players who are here."
Jason McAteer and Kevin Kilbane played for him at last summer's World Cup finals while Phil Babb also featured in some of his squads.
Sunderland also have a large number of Irish youngsters, including Thomas Butler and Sean Thornton, who have broken into the first team, plus the promising Cliff Byrne and Richie Ryan.
"Everything is right except the results on the field. That is what is important to me and everyone else here," added the new manager.
"That is my brief. It is down to me and the players and Ian Evans (assistant). We start at the training ground now.
"I am absolutely determined to try to keep Sunderland in the Premiership. It would be a remarkable achievement to do that.
"I'm told the team are having a difficulty playing at home. But the fans come to support the team. Hopefully we can give them something to shout about.
McCarthy, who has been out of work since resigning last November, will need to work a miracle - and work it quickly - if Sunderland are to avoid relegation, but his appointment would be long-term rather than just a quick fix.